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A week elapsed before she could see Elizabeth without scolding

her: a month passed away before she could speak to Sir William or

Lady Lucas without being rude; and many months were gone before

she could at all forgive their daughter.

Mr. Bennet's emotions were much more tranquil on the occasion,

and such as he did experience he pronounced to be of a most

agreeable sort; for it gratified him, he said, to discover that

Charlotte Lucas, whom he had been used to think tolerably

sensible, was as foolish as his wife, and more foolish than his

daughter!

Jane confessed herself a little surprised at the match: but she

said less of her astonishment than of her earnest desire for

their happiness; nor could Elizabeth persuade her to consider it

as improbable. Kitty and Lydia were far from envying Miss Lucas,

for Mr. Collins was only a clergyman; and it affected them in no

other way than as a piece of news to spread at Meryton.